Mapping the social and physical contexts of physical activity across adolescence using ecological momentary assessment.
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2007-10-11
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has sought to understand how environmental factors influence adolescent physical activity yet little is known about where and with whom adolescents are physically active PURPOSE This study used electronic ecological momentary assessment e EMA to map the social and physical contexts of exercise and walking across adolescence Differences in physical activity contexts by gender grade in school day of the week and season were examined METHODS Twice a year between 9th and 12th grade 502 adolescents 51 female of mixed ethnicity 55 White participated in 4 day e EMA intervals Thursday Sunday where their primary activity e g exercise TV homework social company e g friends family class and physical location e g home school outdoors were assessed every 30 10 min during waking hours RESULTS Overall greater proportions of exercise and walking were reported with friends outdoors and at school However boys were more likely to report exercising and walking in outdoor locations than girls Exercising with classmates family and at school decreased across high school Walking with family friends and outdoors also decreased On weekdays compared to weekends students reported a greater proportion of their exercise and walking at school Students were more likely to report exercising and walking outdoors in the fall and the spring than in the winter CONCLUSION e EMA showed that the social and physical contexts of adolescent exercise and walking vary as a function of gender grade in school day of the week and season Understanding the contexts of physical activity during the high school years can be helpful in designing interventions during adolescence